Naughty Nutella Cupcakes

There’s nothing like a bear in the bedroom, especially when he’s decorating a delicious Nutella cupcake. This mouth watering made-from-scratch recipe is perfect for anyone who is nuts over Nutella (like me). It’s rich and bursting with flavour. Make a batch to share while binge watching on Netflix.

NUTELLA CUPCAKESMAKES 12

Ingredients

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ cup boiling water

½ cup buttermilk

¼ cup heavy cream

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ cup Nutella, room temperature

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.2. In a small bowl, mix cocoa with boiling water until dissolved. Set aside to cool.3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and heavy cream and set aside.4. In a a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside.5. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix again.6. Reduce mixer speed to low. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, and mix until all is combined.7. Add the cooled cocoa mixture and beat until smooth. Fold in Nutella.8. Evenly fill muffins cups with batter and bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.

NUTELLA BUTTERCREAM

Ingredients

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

3 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-2 tablespoons milk

¼ cup Nutella

1. In a medium bowl, beat the butter with a mixer until creamy. Add sugar, one cup at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla, milk and Nutella and mix until smooth.2. Pipe on top of cooled cupcakes using a pastry bag and tip or plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Click here to find out how to make your own fondant teddy bear.